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Nairobi · KenyaFree to read
Private

Daystar University (DU)

Kenya's premier Christian university for communication, media, and theology in Athi River.

County
Machakos
Established
1969
Students
6,000
Employment rate
85%

The institution

Who they are, how big, and how they rank.

About

Founded in 1969 by Dr. Donald K. Smith and Motsoko Peko as Daystar Communications, a Christian media organisation, Daystar University was chartered in 2014. Located in Athi River, Machakos County, with a Nairobi campus, Daystar serves over 6,000 students.

The university operates seven schools including Communication, Arts and Humanities, Science Engineering and Health, Applied Human Sciences, Business and Economics, Education, and Theology. Its School of Communication is widely regarded as Kenya's premier journalism and media training institution.

Accredited by CUE and the Council of Legal Education (CLE), the institution ranks 20th nationally. Its Christian foundation and media heritage make it the preferred university for students seeking faith-based education with professional communication and journalism training in Kenya.

The numbers

Annual fees
Ksh 100,000 to Ksh 200,000
Student to staff
1:15
Mode of study
Full-time, Part-time, Distance Learning
Charter status
Chartered
Chartered
2014
Scholarships
Offered

Research

Daystar university's research focuses on communication, media, development, and theology, with an emphasis on applied research that addresses societal challenges through a christian worldview. the school of communication advances research on media ethics, development communication, and the role of faith based media in african societies, while the school of arts and humanities investigates cultural studies, theology, and social transformation. partnerships with taylor university and asbury university (usa) support faculty exchange and collaborative research in communication and theology, while collaboration with the media development authority and the world association for christian communication strengthens media research capacity. the school of business and economics researches social entrepreneurship and faith based business models, while the school of science, engineering and health advances research on public health and community development. research output increasingly informs church policy, media practice, and community development initiatives across kenya and the wider east african region, bridging academic inquiry with christian service.

Accredited by

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)
  • Council of Legal Education (CLE)

What they teach

Faculties, departments and the programmes on offer.

Admission requirements

A C+ mean grade is the minimum for a Bachelor's degree; competitive programmes (medicine, engineering, law, nursing, architecture) require higher grades and specific KCSE subject clusters. Master's programmes require a relevant Bachelor's degree; PhD programmes a relevant Master's degree.

Intakes

  • January
  • May
  • September

Schools and faculties

7 in total
  • School of Communication

    Athi River Main Campus

  • School of Arts and Humanities

    Athi River Main Campus

  • School of Science, Engineering and Health

    Athi River Main Campus

  • School of Applied Human Sciences

    Athi River Main Campus

  • School of Business and Economics

    Athi River Main Campus

  • School of Law

    Athi River Main Campus

  • School of Nursing

    Athi River Main Campus

Campus and beyond

Where you would be, and who they are connected to.

Campuses

Main campus
Main Campus
  • Athi River Main Campus

    Machakos

    Athi River, 40 km south-east of Nairobi, 5 km off Mombasa Road

  • Nairobi Campus

    Nairobi

    Ngong Road, Nairobi

On campus

  • Library
  • Chapel
  • Sports Complex
  • Student Hostels
  • Media Centre
  • Computer Labs

Notable alumni

  • Media personalities and journalists from Kenya
  • Christian communicators and church leaders
  • Professionals in broadcasting and public relations

International partnerships

4 institutions
  • Taylor University (USA)
  • Asbury University (USA)
  • Media Development Authority
  • World Association for Christian Communication

Further reading

Keep this

Entry marks, intakes and fees at Daystar University are restated each year. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.